MANILA, Philippines?Giacomo Puccini?s most beloved opera, ?La Boheme,? has been given many innovative treatments here and abroad. The late National Artist Rolando Tinio, for instance, once staged it here with Puccini?s bohemians (Rodolfo the poet, Mimi the consumptive, etc.) transformed into harassed denizens of Manila?s University Belt.

The Philippine Opera Company (POC) goes a step further, in keeping with developments in Manila?s cultural and entertainment scene. A forthcoming POC production of ?La Boheme,? to be directed by Floy Quintos, is again set in Manila, but Rodolfo and his barkada are now independent (indie) film artists vainly hoping for a big break.

This was announced in a recent press conference at Hyatt Hotel in Manila. The opera will be presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Oct. 3-4 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 5 (3 p.m.). Helen Quach conducts the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Reading and analyzing the text, Quintos said he wanted to come up with common everyday truths.
?We wanted a contemporary setting without taking away specific scenes and Puccini?s love for people, and set pieces,? the director said. ?So we set it in Manila, specifically the indie art scene in Manila.?

He added: ?It was nice to put [Puccini] characters against Manila?s unattainable landscapes. Indie landscapes, not mainstream.?

But the Philippine indie industry is a success story, one media person pointed out. Indie directors and actors are being noticed and praised here and abroad.

?For every successful indie artist,? Quintos countered, ?there are still a lot out there waiting for the right project. And we are also talking about people in theater, painters...?

Tenors Gary del Rosario, Juan Alberto Gaerlan and Dondi Ong alternate in the role of Rodolfo. Sopranos Jennifer Uy and Maribel Miguel (a newcomer from Santa Isabel College) play the tragic Mimi, with sopranos Ana Feleo and Elaine Lee as Musetta.

Baritone Nomer Son is Alcindoro, Musetta?s admirer, with baritone Jack Salud as understudy.

POC artistic director Karla Gutierrez said ?quite a big number came for the auditions, despite the brain and talent drain, and we were pleasantly surprised.?

She raved about Miguel (Mimi): ?We were so amazed at how beautiful her voice is. She can go international with a voice like that.?